Chanel Gets Another Chance

For the third generation of the Chance fragrance family, Chanel Master Perfumer Jacques Polge has created a new fragrance for the not-so-innocent.  An airy, fruity mix of grapefruit and quince meet crisp fresh green notes; a trace of Jasmine Absolute lingers, along with a touch of White Musk, Chance Eau Tendre is available at Chanel.com.

- Lesley Scott

Macy's Fashion Director Daily Style Challenge = $500 Gift Card Each Day!

A recent online survey of Macy's customers revealed that almost half the women polled find it a challenge to put together fabulous outfits on a regular basis, in particular, how to incorporate the latest trends with stuff already in the closet. To spread the fashion love, they are launching their new Macy's Fashion Director, an online mix-and-match tool that allows you to select pieces - from the perfect skirt to the season's "must-have" accessory - and build a virtual outfit. “Macy’s Fashion Director gives our customers the unique opportunity to create their own fashion story,” explains Nicole Fischelis, Macy's group vice president/fashion director. “They are able to put together a look that expresses their vision of what they believe fashion is right now. It’s how I take a trend from the runway and interpret it to fit our customer’s needs."

Kirsten Dunst Channels Silver Screen G-L-A-M-O-U-R in V Magazine

In classically beautiful makeup, hair, and clothes (styling courtesy of Lady Gaga stylist, Nicola Formichetti), photographer Mario Testino helps the starlet channel retro Hollywood glam in V Magazine (issue #64).

While promoting her new film, All Good Things, she also discusses her friendships with both Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami, as well as the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte:

Glamorous New Fashion Illustration Prints in Luscious Hues

Designer Laura Su of Prismera Design recently announced Series II, a new collection of five fashion illustrations printed on textured 100% cotton rag paper: Scarlet, Cadmium Yellow, Emerald, Cobalt and Coral. “Watercolor is a medium that I've loved since art school," explains Su, "and painting these lovely girls has allowed me to continue embracing color in a different way while designing my line of jewelry."  Available at PrismeraDesign.com.

- Lesley Scott

Christian Louboutin Barbie Spring Flings in Retro'ish YSL Safari Chic

This season, the original fabulous fashion plate is looking very Verushka in 1968 YSL safari-chic in a khaki tunic paired with some kicky hot pink fringed Loubies to keep it modern.  She first unveiled her Parisian makeover last season in a sexy black catsuit with fours pairs of shoes & boots; she once again comes with extra kicks, each with their own mini Christian Louboutin box and bag. Hop on the wait list at Net-a-Porter.com.

- Lesley Scott

Get Great Hair! Just Adjust the Volume & Grab Some Fab Giveaways

Hat head, bed head, bad hair days, limp locks….let’s face it, while we may care deeply about our hair, it doesn’t always care about us. During the cold weather, curly manes need taming, straight hair goes limp, ends get dry, and humidity creates unwanted frizz. And for those of us still stuck with the prospect of snow and cold temps for at least another month or two, the Hair Forecast isn't looking too promising.

However, the good news is that there are some easy steps you can take to alleviate winter hair drama says Guila Heiman, NYC Hair Stylist & Co-Founder of StyloNY.com, who offers this advice for putting the sass back in your tresses: “Firstly, you need to start out with healthy hair. Make sure you are using a great conditioner during the winter months. (Editor’s fave: try Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm on coarse and damaged ends… Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz are fans.) Avoid products like pomades, gels and waxes, which will heat up under a hat, leaving your hair matted and greasy. Instead, opt for products like styling cream and styling lotion. Got fly-aways? Try a static-relief hairspray. You can also keep a trial size hairspray in your purse. Spritz a bit at the roots with your head flipped over and hat head won't stand a chance.”

Striptease on a Trapeze!

In researching the history of lingerie for a book we're authoring for Quantum Publishing (out this fall), we might have inadvertently discovered why it took Thomas Edison at least 1000 ways to finally get the lightbulb right...he apparently was spending his spare time shooting video of his favorite performer, Charmion, a Victorian striptease artist who took to her trapeze in full Victorian finery. Clad in multiple petticoats, slips, corsets, and elaborate hats of the era (fun factoid: the typical Victorian woman wore an average of 11 weighty pounds of undergarments), Charmion would mount the trapeze and then proceed to strip down to her leotard, all the while "performing impressive and strength-dependent stunts."

Edison, apparently, was one of her most ardent fans, and in 1901, she let him shoot this short but hilarious (in particular, the overenthusiastic Mutt-and-Jeff audience-duo precariously perched in the balcony on the left) "Trapeze Disrobing Act."

- Lesley Scott

Meet the Green Goddesses of Natural Perfume. Plus Snag Fabulous Twitter Giveaways!

Fifteen years ago, before we learned we were leaving carbon footprints and the only recycle bin was the one on our desktop, there was a seed planted by perfumer Mandy Aftel which has gradually grown into a revolution in contemporary perfumery: a rediscovery and rebirth of the ancient art of creating fragrance without synthetics. Perfumus is the Latin word for ‘through smoke’ and for millenniums throughout the world on every continent, doctors, scientists, priests and shamans have used natural blends as medicine or offerings to the gods. Historically, the upper classes had their own private perfumers; icons like Cleopatra, Queen Makeda (aka the Queen of Sheba), Catherine de Medici, and King Henry VIII all used the alchemy of natural fragrance to seduce, bewitch and entice (and to cover the smell of unwashed bodies).

It wasn’t until relatively recently, in the early 1900s, that the use of synthetic materials in perfume ‘replaced’ a time-honored art and it might have disappeared entirely in recent years, save the work of a few visionary natural perfumers. Seven, in particular, have educated me, influenced me, introduced me to, and helped me learn about natural, organic and botanical perfumery.

Each was asked the same two questions: “Why is it you choose to work only with natural, botanical or organic fragrances”? and “What is the difference between organic, botanical and natural perfumes?” As, perhaps, the most comprehensive and authoritative article on this controversial and divisive subject to date - meet eight women who are changing our perfumed world:

Fashion Week Fall 2010 Menswear Trends: Real Men Stalk The Catwalk

Should you be a Real Man (RM) who still labors under the impression that Fashion Week is only for fashionistas, please allow me to show you the error of your ways. Much like Mardi Gras, there are parades, giveaways, and beautiful people at every turn; an army of people attend each and every one of the fashion shows: spectacles of creativity and passion lasting around 20 minutes on which a designer's next six months of editorial reviews, magazine placements and sales is determined. Watching the scene unfold is like being invited to the ultimate Fashion Party...and marathon - in our case, involving a 72 hour stint running around NYC to catch a total of 20 shows.

In case you missed the festivities, here's your handy Real Man's Fashion Trend Cheat Sheet for Fall 2010:

What Will Fashion Look Like in 2025?

Bell bottoms dominated the ‘60s, polyester the 70s, and in the 80s, spandex and lycra were king. And for the first decade of the new millennium, earth-friendly products have continued to create an eco-buzz. However, how green will the evolution of this trillion dollar sector be?

By the year 2025:

- Will clothes biodegrade?
- Will our outfits monitor our health?
- Will climate change refugees spread new fashion influences around the world?
- Will a shortage of raw materials see us renting our clothes from libraries?
- Will technological advances make it common to grow what we wear?

In an attempt to answer just these sorts of questions and inspire some creative thinking and innovation, Levi Strauss & Co. and sustainability experts Forum for the Future recently teamed up to launch FASHION FUTURES. Produced in collaboration with fashion experts from around the world in manufacturing, design and retail, as well as universities, trade unions and NGOs, Fashion Futures is an attempt to explore every aspect of the industry, from production of raw materials, through manufacturing and sale, to use and end of life.

Jean Paul Gaultier for Target - Mais Oui & Here is What We're Jonesing for...

As the third designer in Target's Designer Collaborations series in which an established designer draws inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or creative element, the Hermes designer (and re-designer of the classic Hermes Birkin) - not to mention Lady Gaga fave and one-time assistant to fashion legend Pierre Cardin - decided to repackage our #1 export, pop culture, and serve it right back to us with a tasty dose of cheeky French panache. “My collection with Target pays homage to the wide range of personalities that make up the diverse styles of American women,” says the designer. “From ingénue to rock ‘n roll, this collection celebrates women of all ages and a host of distinctive, iconic American styles.”

His fusion of rocker chic, Silver Screen glam, and Hip Hop attitude celebrates Stateside style, meaning flirty silhouettes and classic shapes embellished with laser-cut embroidery, poplin and mesh details, and pops of bold color for modern flair. And with prices starting as low as $18 and on up to only $200, it would be a Capital Crime against Couture not to pick up something fab & fun. “Jean Paul Gaultier is a fashion icon who is known to push boundaries and create inspiring, yet timeless designs,” adds Trish Adams, senior vice president, Target. “Target is honored to partner with such a renowned designer, and to bring Gaultier’s craftsmanship and creativity to women across the country, at a great value.”

Create a Fantasy Nail Shade for Illamasqua

The reigning brand of edgy makeup-after-dark is looking for the next hot-and-happenin' shade of Nail Varnish, created by someone creative!  Submit a 50 word (or less) description of your dream color by March 14th to competition@illamasqua.com; be sure to mention what inspired your color, along with an image, fabric swatch or photograph - and you could have your shade created by Illamasqua. The panel of judges includes Illamasqua Artistic Director and Make-up Artist Alex Box, Nail Artist Sophy Robson, and Youtube sensation, makeup maven Pixiwoo.

The winning shade won't be available until October 2010 at Illamasqua.com and Selfridges.com, but you'll be able to lay hands on it - not to mention decorate them with it - before anyone else!

The fine print:

Fabulous Twitter Jewelry! It was Just a Matter of Time...

You look nothing like that tiny thumbnail pic on your Twitter profile, and you're headed to a Tweetup where nobody knows you by your real name. Don't panic...accessorize!

"It's a perfectly subtle way to identify yourself to your existing Twitterfriends (who may not recognize you from your proper name or tiny Twitter picture)," explains Phoebe Jonas, one half of the NYC duo behind the Survival of the Hippest, a line of sterling silver and gold (diamond-studded, even!) Twitter ID necklaces, bracelets, anklets, tie-pins, and keychains. "Besides, it's a gentle conversation starter to garner new followers along the way." 

So put your TwitterName (or hashtag) right where it belongs: off the screen and around your neck, your ankle, your bag, your keys...Available at SurvivaloftheHippest.com.

- Lesley Scott

Tommy Hilfiger on Success, Romance & Donuts (Our Fab Backstage Interview!)

We recently interviewed Tommy Hilfiger backstage at his Fall 2010 show in New York...and found out that he is a true romantic, digs donuts, and can spell!

Fashiontribes: What's your philosophy to being successful in life?
Tommy Hilfiger: Never give up. Think positive.

FT: Favorite travel destination?
TH: The Caribbean.

FT: You have 2 minutes to pack - what do you bring?
TH: Jeans, button-down shirt, sneakers.

FT: If you were a type of junk food, what would you be?
TH: A Dunkin' Donut.

FT: What's the craziest thing you've ever done for love?
TH: Flew my wife from Monaco over here, before we were married - and asked her to marry me!

FT:  Are you a typical Aries?
TH: Yes.

FT: Adventurous and energetic; selfish and quick-tempered; pioneering and courageous?
TH: I'm not quick-tempered; I'm not that selfish because I share with my family and my children...but all the rest of it, yes.

FT: How do you spell happiness?
TH: H-a-p-p-i-n-e-s-s.

- Carly J. Cais, Contributing Editor

Emerging Runway Beauty Trends from New York Fashion Week Fall 2010

The top beauty trends on the runway? Romantic and retro 90s. Nothing fussy or overdone, hair was either long or slightly unkempt as if it dried naturally or in a messy chignon and makeup was dewy and subdued, with the emphasis on the eyes and nude lips. Can you say ho hum…if not a bit safe and dreary? The models even looked bored...

RODARTE:

Clothing that Smells as Stylish as it Looks with Fashionsentz Cutting-Edge Chic Technology

Fashion & fragrance have recently been combined into a single, techno-chic package that allows for any scent imaginable to be embedded into fabric, as well as skincare, including aloe vera, sea kelp, Vitamin E, lavender, a luxurious spa treatment, and other fabulous feelgood'ness. "Imagine coming out of the sun after a long, hot day at the beach, and slipping into a luxurious lavender-scented terrycloth robe that contains soothing aloe vera, cooling your skin on contact without you even having to lift a finger," explains Adam Singer, founder and CEO of the newly-launched branding & scenting company FASHIONSENTZ. "It would not only smell fabulous, but make you feel just as fabulous at the same time."

Be it a chic Chanel-branded tee that smells like No. 5 - washing after washing after washing - or a salt-and-sun scented beachtote, or even your fave pair of sexy jeans that also smell downright sexy, the future of fashion-meets-fragrance-meets-skincare has arrived...and does it smell (and feel) divine.

- Lesley Scott